Risi Ferrari Returning to GT2 ALMS

[gaijin]

RISI COMPETIZIONE, FERRARI RETURNING TO GT2 CLASS OF AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES

Braselton, Ga. - Risi Competizione has confirmed its plans today to field two Ferrari 430 GT race cars in the GT2 class of the American Le Mans Series for 2006. It marks the first full season entry for Ferrari into the Series since 2004 and the addition of yet another elite manufacturer into the class.

"Ferrari embodies many of the same qualities that the American Le Mans Series embraces," Series President and CEO Scott Atherton said. "Exotic, prestigious and elite are descriptions that come to mind when discussing both. Ferrari has played a significant role in the American Le Mans Series throughout its history, and we are ecstatic that it will be returning to our grid."

Team owner Giuseppe Risi said one Ferrari will campaign the entire season, including the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. A second car will compete at multiple races including the Lone Star Grand Prix to be staged in Houston, the team's home base, on May 12. Both cars will run on Michelin tires.

"We're very pleased to race a Ferrari again in the American Le Mans Series," Risi said. "We believe that this is the leading sports car series in the United States, and we are looking forward to the competition in the GT2 class."

The driver lineup will be highlighted by Ralf Kelleners, who returns to Risi Competizione and Ferrari after competing in two Series events last year with ACEMCO Motorsports in GT1. The 36-year-old German was with Risi in 2004 when Risi's Ferrari 360 Modena took a GT2 victory at Lime Rock, breaking Porsche's 21-race winning streak in the class.

Kelleners has made 28 starts in the American Le Mans Series with 11 podium finishes, all but two with Risi and Ferrari. Further driver announcements will be made at a later date.

The Risi Ferraris join a highly competitive GT2 class, which should see its deepest field in the eight-year history of the American Le Mans Series.

"Ferrari joins a GT2 class that is ripe with championship contenders," Atherton said. "A full field of cars from Ferrari, Porsche, Panoz, Lexus and BMW no doubt will entertain our fans at the tracks and the millions who will watch the American Le Mans Series on CBS and SPEED Channel."

Risi Competizione has long been a key supporter and member of the American Le Mans Series. In 2005, the team played a key role in Maserati's 2005 effort in the Series, lending technical support and service to the Maserati MC12 in GT1.

"Giuseppe Risi is one of our most loyal and supportive team owners with an excellent history of fielding winning Ferrari teams," Atherton said. "Our elite competitors, prestigious corporate partners and devoted fans are assured of another outstanding effort in 2006 from Ferrari and Risi Competizione."

The American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series is the premium brand of motorsport in North America, featuring high-tech sports cars from the most prestigious manufacturers in the world. Its four unique classes of competition showcase exotic, open-top prototypes and sophisticated production-based GT cars, all competing on the track at the same time. The American Le Mans Series competes at the premier road racing tracks across North America and at selected temporary street circuits in major urban markets. With a television package that includes five network broadcasts on CBS and five broadcasts on SPEED Channel, plus live broadcasts across Europe, the series delivers a global marketing platform that is unmatched in motorsports. The series, founded in 1999 by Georgia entrepreneur Don Panoz, represents a mirror image to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most famous and authentic automobile race. The American Le Mans Series features elite marques such as Audi, Porsche, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Panoz, and premium brands such as Michelin, Pirelli, Jean-Richard Swiss Watches and many others.

Risi Competizione
Risi Competizione offers complete race services with a track record of success in car preparation, race support, race management, team organization and engineering development. It is a team forged of people from around the globe set to meet the challenge of excellence. Founder and owner Giuseppe Risi holds his team to the highest standards of performance and innovation. Each driver and team member knows that winning comes from working together as a whole.